The Prairie Central Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution supporting a county-wide sales tax to fund school facility costs.

Several schools in Livingston County have already approved similar resolutions, petitioning the Regional Superintendent to include the measure on the April ballot.

"It makes sense to me," said board member Barbara Schlatter, who noted a higher tourism rate for the Pontiac area could be good for generating sales tax money throughout the county.

"I don't think we have anything to lose by trying," added board president Patricia Haberkorn.

The sales tax money could be used for new facilities, land acquisition, ongoing maintenance, demolition or roof repairs. It cannot be used for buses, computers, operating costs, salaries and text books.

Also at Thursday's meeting, members of the Prairie Central Board learned that the district has received all of the state categorical payments from last year but has received almost nothing for this year.

Superintendent John Capasso expressed concerns over proposals for the state to shift the pension burden to schools.

"This is not the time for us to pick up another $200,000 or $300,000 a year in liabilities for the pension system when we have already lost a bunch of money in categorical (payments) and state aid," said Capasso.

Capasso also informed the board of changes in the Corn Belt conference. Rantoul High School will be leaving the conference and several schools are interested in joining, such as IVC, Lincoln and Streator. Conversations are ongoing and there are some concerns over the travel distance between schools.

In other action, the Prairie Central Board of Education:

-Approved the tentative levy and truth in taxation resolution.

-Authorized a life safety amendment to replace the roof over the high school band room and small gym, which was damaged in a hailstorm.

-Approved a new earth science course and combining the two high school keyboarding courses.